Aussies wasting money in gym membership

IF YOU are one of the many who vowed that 2013 would be the year you got fit, forking out hundreds of dollars in a gym membership may be a waste of your hard-earned dollars.

Nhada Larkin

National FeaturesJanuary 14, 201310:14am

IF YOU are one of the many who vowed that 2013 would be the year you got fit, forking out hundreds of dollars in a gym membership may be a waste of your hard-earned dollars.

The most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show 63.4 per cent of adults were overweight or obese in 2011-12, making us one of the fattest nations in the world.

This financial year, we are expected to pump about $3 billion into the fitness industry - which has been reinvigorated by reality television programs such as The Biggest Loser.

However, Australian Medical Association president Dr Steve Hambleton says no matter how much most people exercise, a bad diet and overeating will make you fat - so the food needs to be addressed before money is parted with.

"Unless you are a marathon runner, you will be able to out-eat any exercise program," Dr Hambleton says.

"We've got to eat the right food - but less of it. You cannot out-exercise a bad diet.

"You need to reduce the calories you're consuming, then think about what sort of exercise suits you best."

Dr Hambleton says he always tells his clients to go on the ELF diet.

"Eat Less Food - it's very simple. In general, we eat too much."

And rather than expensive gyms, a brisk 30-minute daily walk or swim are among the best exercises for most people.

A report released in October by IBISWorld predicts Australian fitness industry revenue of $3 billion in 2012-13. Australians are expected to spend:

* about $1.7 billion on gyms and personal training;

* about $380 million on weight-loss services;

* about $292 million on dietary supplements; and

* about $121 million on surgery.

The Biggest Loser trainer Shannan Ponton says even spending the better part of $1000 on a gym membership should be looked at as an investment in your own good health.

He says a new year is a "prosperous" time for personal trainers, with many people resolving to lose their Christmas kilograms.

But he says in order for such a decision to be successful, it needs to be taken with consideration and determination.

"If people are making their New Year's resolution full of dutch courage, it will fail," he says.

"There's no use buying a gym membership, and Asics trainers and a towel and never actually going into the gym."

Ponton agrees that eating the right food is necessary for weight loss.

"The main message is we've become a soft society, always looking for the quick, easy fix," he says. "Eating well is simple. It's lots of fresh, healthy food and staying away from processed things."